Further Ado stays on the right path and takes the Kentucky Jockey Club

The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2), run at Churchill Downs, once again fulfilled its historic role as one of the most important races for evaluating colts aiming for the Kentucky Derby trail. Although it is run after the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the race brings together very high-quality colts seeking to take a step forward toward the following spring. In 2025, the absolute standout was Further Ado (Gun Runner), a colt who had already attracted national attention after breaking his maiden at Keeneland by 20 lengths, a margin rarely seen in a $120,000 Maiden Special Weight.

Further Ado (Gun Runner) crossing the wire at Churchill Downs for the first time.

Further Ado had shown since his debut at Saratoga that he was an athlete beyond the ordinary. His overwhelming victory during the past Keeneland meet not only demonstrated his superiority but also his competitive maturity. Bred in Kentucky by John C. Oxley, trained by Brad Cox, one of the most efficient conditioners at the American elite level, and carrying 122 pounds under Irad Ortiz Jr., one of the jockeys with the highest win percentage in North America, and purchased for $550,000, Further Ado entered the Kentucky Jockey Club as the logical favorite.

The race at Churchill Downs reaffirmed all his potential. Further Ado ran comfortably throughout, tracking a solid pace (the first half-mile in 46.76) before launching his decisive attack in the final stretch. His acceleration was immediate, powerful and unquestionable, dominating the race with authority and stopping the clock in 1:43.33 for the mile and one-sixteenth, equivalent to 1700 meters. This son of Gun Runner (Candy Ride) is a colt with classic presence and an ideal physique for middle distances; he made it clear that he will continue improving, and Cox’s team dreams of winning a Kentucky Derby on the track. After earning 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby, Brad Cox told Lineage Bloodstock that his next start will be “in the Rebel or the Risen Star,” confirming that the colt will take the Derby path at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Louisiana, or at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

With a margin of 1 ¾ lengths, the runner-up was Universe (Global Campaign), who delivered an excellent performance and confirmed the strong opinion his trainer, Kenneth McPeek, has of him. Having been relegated early, running from the three-path, he began to advance around the far turn, swinging to an outside lane as wide as six paths. He finished strongly, drifting inward in the final strides and securing second place at the wire thanks to his solid late kick. Universe demonstrated strong tactical poise and a sustained finish, projecting himself as an attractive Derby Trail prospect, possibly targeting the Oaklawn Park circuit in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Kenneth McPeek is based during the spring. His developing campaign and his pedigree by an emerging stallion like Global Campaign make him an interesting prospect for the coming months. Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule) finished third after pressing outside the leader from the start, staying in contention through the stretch and briefly taking the lead turning for home. However, despite his bravery, he yielded when Further Ado overpowered him and then lost additional position in the final yards.

Regarding his genetics, Further Ado carries an extremely commercial and proven pedigree. He is a son of Gun Runner, one of the most reliable and sought-after stallions in the Northern Hemisphere, known for transmitting tactical speed, stamina, and professionalism. His dam, Sky Dreamer (Sky Mesa), added quality and a strong aerobic engine, being a consistent producer in the marketplace. Sky Dreamer also produced the miler Kimbear (Temple City), a G2 winner in Dubai. In terms of value, Further Ado went through the select sales rings, having been a high-priced yearling due to his physical type and highly desirable pedigree. From family {19-b}, his third dam is Beautiful Pleasure (Maudlin), the multiple Grade 1-winning champion who won top-level races at ages 2, 4 and 5. This family also includes the Grade 1 winner Dream Dancing (Tapit).

Irad Ortiz Jr. greeting Brad Cox after winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2).

Further Ado’s victory adds to an exceptional year for Spendthrift Farm, which is experiencing one of the strongest juvenile generations in its recent history. The operation led by Eric Gustavson, with Ned Toffey at the managerial helm, has several two-year-olds from the 2023 crop who have already won graded stakes and are aiming firmly at the first weekend of May as primary targets. Among them stands out Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), the best colt seen so far from the generation, a Grade 1 winner in three different states and the absolute leader among males. Also noteworthy is Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), a multiple Grade 1 winner at Saratoga and Keeneland, dominating the filly division. In addition, Brave Deb (Authentic) established herself as a Grade 3 winner in California, reinforcing the quality of the farm’s lineup.

With this race, Further Ado has earned $320,000 in prize money, after winning a $120,000 Maiden Special Weight and this Grade 2 stakes, which contributed $242,470 to the winner. He projects to be a major colt for the upcoming semester, where his potential will be further tested, but he is undoubtedly expected to become part of Spendthrift’s stallion roster in Lexington, Kentucky. Gun Runner (Candy Ride) has emerged as an interesting candidate as a broodmare sire or sire of sires. In recent years, several sons of the chestnut have been retired to stand at top American stud farms, the most notable examples being: Sierra Leone (Ashford, Versailles, Kentucky), Locked (Gainesway, Paris, Kentucky), Taiba (Spendthrift, Lexington, Kentucky), Cyberknife (Spendthrift, Lexington, Kentucky), Gunite (Ashford, Versailles, Kentucky), Gun Pilot (Three Chimneys, Versailles, Kentucky), Disarm (Hidden Lake, Stillwater, New York), among others.

The 2025 Kentucky Jockey Club not only confirmed Further Ado as a colt with enormous classic potential, but also reaffirmed Spendthrift Farm’s supremacy in producing early talent of international quality. With a roster of juveniles already dominating on multiple fronts, the operation is poised to enter 2026 with several strong contenders for both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. Further Ado leads that group as one of the most solid and exciting prospects of the season.